August 12, 2014

Recap: Argos Dominate In Rematch With Bombers

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

TORONTO – Following a much-needed victory in Montreal, the Toronto Argonauts (2-4) returned home to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-2) in a highly anticipated Week 1 rematch.  Toronto was overpowered by the play of quarterback Drew Willy in the first contest, who threw for 308 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-21 rout. 

Rest was a significant factor heading into Week 8 as Toronto was coming off a 10-day break and Winnipeg was playing their second road game in five nights. 

The game was also marked by the return of Mike O’Shea, the now-Blue Bombers Head Coach who spent 16 seasons with the team as a linebacker and coach, winning four Grey Cups and retiring as the team’s all-time leading tackler.      

Winnipeg opened the scoring with a 63-yard drive that led to an eight-yard touchdown pass to Cory Watson from Drew Willy at 9:16 of the first quarter.  Lirim Hajrullahu converted the extra point to put the Bombers up 7-0. 

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The quarter was fairly close on the stat sheet as yardage totals, total plays and play averages were nearly identical.  The Argonauts were much more reliant on the pass despite the absence of their top-four receivers.

The Argos started the 2nd quarter strong with an eight-play, 97-yard drive that led to a 19-yard Curtis Steele rushing touchdown at 11:54.  Waters added the conversion to tie the game at 7-7. 

Both teams were heavily penalized in the first half, but Toronto led that category with nine infractions totaling 57 yards. 

Winnipeg grabbed the lead again with 4:42 left in the half when Drew Willy completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Rory Kohlert. 14-7 Bombers.

Toronto roared back on the following drive when Robert Gill returned the kickoff for 39 yards to give the Argos good field position.  Ricky Ray made a number of short completions to continue the drive, which was capped off with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Mann.  Waters made the convert to tie it up at 14 each. 

With 1:21 left in the half, Winnipeg’s next drive was stuffed immediately when Tristan Okpalaugo sacked Willy for a seven-yard loss followed by a time count violation that led to a quick three-and-out.  Hajrullahu botched the punt, giving the Argos the ball back on the Winnipeg 44 with 35 seconds left in the half.

Ray completed his first three passes to Mike Bradwell to bring the Argos within four yards with seven seconds left, then threw a touchdown pass to FB Zander Robinson to cap the drive.  Waters made the convert to put the Argos up 21-14 going into the half.

Toronto’s offense was far superior to Winnipeg’s in the first half, netting 258 total yards compared to Winnipeg’s 125, however costly penalties eliminated many of their chances.  Winnipeg’s return game was their biggest strength, totaling 196 return yards thanks to a number of nice runs by Troy Stoudermire. 

Both teams traded quick drives early into the second half, but momentum shifted when Argos RB Steve Slaton fumbled the ball and Winnipeg recovered at the Toronto 20.   The Bombers eventually capitalized on the opportunity when RB Nic Grigsby rushed from the eight-yard line for the score.  Hajrullahu made the convert to tie the game at 21. 

Neither team was able to put much together offensively for the rest of the third and the teams went into the fourth tied at 21. 

The Argos continued to dominate in the 4th quarter as Steele collected his second of the day, this time receiving a pass from Ray and scampering into the endzone.

Spencer Watt also got into the fun, catching a TD of his own on a 20-yard reception from Ray who continued to dazzle all night long finishing 26 of 33 for 297 yards and 4 touchdown passes, inching ever closer to 50,000 on his career.

A Swayze Waters FG int he 4th brought the score to 38-21 and a big Argonauts victory to extend the club’s lead in the East Division.

A double dip this week will see the Boatmen play a second time in week 8 as they host the BC Lions on Sunday night when they will wear their new CFL Signature Look jerseys!